Operational Strategy Manager

As our Operational Strategy Manager, you will support the Head of Operational Strategy to roll out and manage a programme governance structure, sitting across the Operational Strategy work streams. Our Operations high level strategy is to create one Operations team and to establish an Operations Centre of Excellence to support the business.

You will ensure the business delivers on its key objectives in a controlled, compliant and effective way. You'll own and manage the Operational plan that delivers the benefits and the detailed plan that realises the benefit opportunities through efficiency saving.

You can be based from either our Widnes or Edinburgh offices, regular travel between these locations is essential. We are open to discussions surrounding flexible working.

SBAFS are part of the wider Sainsbury's Group, we're an exciting and growing organisation and as our customers seek more innovative services and technology, being part of one of the UK's most trusted brands brings our colleagues exciting opportunities to fulfil their potential. Here, you can be part of something bigger and help to create a new approach that puts the customer at the heart of everything we do.

As the Operational Strategy Manager, you will;

Maximise opportunity and manage risks, pulling together a plan that enables the business to realise benefits through improved service, reduced costs and a transformed operating model.
Carry out the day-to-day management of the plan to realise operational benefit through enhanced OD and efficiencies.
Own & manage the overarching project plan across the different delivery pillars of our strategy.
Apply a structured change management approach by leading the improvement of projects through the project management cycle (design, build, completion and implementation).
Support the Business Change Managers in their tracking of costs and managing the overarching plan of costs.
Provide oversight & guidance to Ops Change Managers, working with individual project leads to ensure we have clear, achievable plans; whilst supporting the creation and update of these plans and ensuring that each project has engaged the correct stakeholders.
Track the levels of resources in place to support delivery, challenging this where appropriate.
Create and manage a resource tracker & prioritisation process for supporting the strategy work.
Support in identifying and addressing risks and issues across projects and help resolve where possible.
Identify opportunities to simplify across work streams.

As the Operational Strategy Manager, you will have;

Previous experience of leading operational change teams.
A proven track record of delivering and managing change.
Proven project management skills.
Operational experience; ideally contact centre, but including knowledge of supporting areas i.e. Back Office, QA, Fraud & Underwriting, Training & Coaching.
The skill to back up your conclusions with logical analysis.
The ability to make recommendations to senior management, to identify and exploit profitable business opportunities within your area of responsibility.
Excellent communication skills; including conveying complex information in plain language to a range of stakeholders at different levels in the business.
A high level of drive and motivation.

As well as the opportunity to join a great team you will also receive a competitive salary, 24 days' holiday, and a range of other great benefits including bonus, healthcare, pension and retail discounts. We will support you in developing your skills to build the career you want.

As this role involves working in an FCA-regulated business all offers will be subject to satisfactory background checks including criminal record, credit check, fraud database check and employment references.

We know that candidates may be put off applying for a job unless they can tick every box. We also know that 'normal' office hours aren't always doable, and while we can't accommodate every flexible working request we are happy to be asked. So if you are excited about working with us and think you can do much of what we are looking for but aren't sure if you are 100% there yet??? why not apply and see how it goes?

Here at Sainsbury's Argos we're a proud equal opportunities employer that values diversity at every level of our business. Inclusion and Diversity are fundamental to our culture and values, fostering an innovative, collaborative and fast paced work environment that means we can build a better future for our colleagues and our customers. Everyone is welcome at Sainsbury's Argos. Want to find out more? Then visit our Diversity & Inclusion page on our Careers site -